A World Full of Strangers

by cynthia-freeman

Vintage paperback

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Ebooks

645 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1975

Reviews

[Bodosika Bodosika · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting novel and I will definitely read other novels by this author soon.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynthia Freeman’s first novel is the story of David Rezinetsky, a man who rejects his Jewish heritage and spends his life hiding his origins and running away from his past in order to build a successful life for himself, something he feels the pervading anti-Semitism of the time will prevent him from doing. Desperate to escape the poverty and the daily grind of New York ghetto life, he persuades his wife Katie Kovitz to go along with him and together they move first to Chicago and then to California, where David changes his name and does indeed become extremely rich and forges a lifestyle that his fellow Jews back in New York could only dream of. But his heritage is not the only thing that is lost along the way.
This is very much a traditional family narrative, but none the worse for that. It is not, perhaps, great literature, but it’s an absorbing and heart-warming saga, an interesting study of a man attempting to remake himself regardless of the cost to those around him, and a social document of 3 generations in America from the 1930s to the 1950s. Good old-fashioned storytelling and very enjoyable.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second read. First in 1980's. Just as good now. Freeman writes great historical fiction.

[Mirta Trupp · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a difficult read for me. Much darker than I usually go for; I can't say that I was entertained exactly—I was committed to see it through to the end. The book has received rave reviews, but the writing style was not my taste and there were several loose ends—things either weren't researched well enough or, it slipped through the author's (and editor's) net. The author provides us with an important topic, however. Ancestral trauma, survivor's trauma, etc. Both protagonists are damaged emotionally, and redemption, healing and teshuva is not always guaranteed. They each handle their pain in different ways: anger, submissiveness, control, denial...the list goes on. The narrative focuses on these issues, as well as antisemitism, stereotypes, depression, self-worth, and self-realization. Important topics, all.

[JudiAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

David hates being Jewish and living in a 1930s NY City ghetto. He changes his name and cuts himself off from his family. His wife reluctantly goes along with him because she feels it’s her obligation. David’s goal is to make millions and eventually he does but it comes with a price.

Astonishing and breathtaking at times. The characters are so well developed I became emotionally invested.

With this book I have finally, over the years, read all 12 of Cynthia Freeman’s books. You can't go wrong reading her family saga novels.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was about a woman who leaves Poland with her mother and moves to England to live with her uncle. After 12 yrs. Her mother passes away and she knows she needs to move to the U.S. with a family friend. The uncles’ wife does not like her or the uncle. Once she moves to America, everything is different for her. She has gone from being highly educated, living in a mansion or bigger than one. Going to concerts, balls and many other things. To now living in a Jewish ghetto in New York. She finds it hard to make friends so she stops. Until one day the daughter of the family she is living with has her boyfriend introduce her to a boy in the neighborhood who does not have to many friends but likes the same type of classical music and other things like she does. He is just trying to find a way out of the neighborhood. After a short time they decide to marry, and though it is a struggle she is happy. He is happy as well, but this was during the 1930’s and the war in Europe was beginning and there was a prejudiced against Jews in this country at that time as well. Her husband was feeling this more and more each day until one day. After waiting to see a man for 5 hours and told to come another day. He heard what they said about Jews after he closed the door, he went back inside and punched the man and then left. He decided on his way home he would tell his wife that his new plan was to move to a new city and to change their last name. Not to be Jewish any more. This did not go well for her by this time they had a little boy and for her being Jewish was all she knew. She finally gave in and that night went to a family dinner, he made the announcement at this time and it shocked the entire family and his father told him he was dead to him. They moved to Chicago, but it did not go well for them there. They argued a lot and he still could not find consistent work. She left with baby back to New York, once there she found out about the family through a sister in law. Knowing this was all gone for her she was alone on the streets with her baby. Then a man, a street peddler remember her from when she lived there and took them in. She was in shock at all of the books, records and many other things he had. She and her son lived there for two years until the man and the boy got sick one night. After having to put them in the hospital the man died after a couple of days. She found a way to get word to her husband in Chicago that there boy was sick. He showed up and after a few days the boy got better and then she told him about everything with his family. She goes back to the place where the man lived and she found a box with a letter to her and some money. He thought of her as his granddaughter. They took the money and moved to San Francisco. There they start over again this time he gets into real estate still not using his real name and with the help of some people after 5 years is starting to make a lot of money. But he also showing a real mean angry side of him and takes it out at his wife. After a few more years they move to a higher place one outside of the city. He still has a meanness towards his wife and anyone he finds out that is Jewish. When their son is in high school he tells him not to be friends with him anymore. The son confused talks to the other boy and they work it out. Now the husband starts an affair that goes on for almost three years. When at a party one night the wife figures it out. He asks for a divorce and she says no. This is now early fifties he moves back home to try to finally have a relationship with the son but then the son goes to U.C.L.A. for college. After a few months needing help in math he goes over to an others students home for dinner and is full of questions because of the food, the way they talk to each other. But something about the mother reminds him of his mother. He starts dating his friends’ sister who goes to U.C.L.A. also. After Christmas they are living together part time but are wanting to get married. She wants him to talk to his parents because she does not want to be the reason they don’t speak again and not to be able to be in their home. When he gets home he has it out with his farther. Later that night his mother comes in and tells him don’t leave in the morning before I talk to you. She is finally going to tell him. The next morning he goes up stairs to the attic and a box falls down that his mother has been carrying around since Poland. He goes into his mother’s room and she tells him everything. He says he sorry she stayed because of him. He leaves calls his girlfriend to say we can get married in the Temple. And then puts an ad in the paper changing his name back to his Jewish name. A fantastic story with a lot of drama. I really enjoyed it!

[S R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written book about David, a self-hating Jewish man in the 1930’s who hates his heritage. He decides to change his name, deny who he is and cut himself off from his family. Psychologically, he sincerely believes that his background would prevent him from becoming wealthy and successful. He grows to detest anyone who reminds him of this heritage and in the process become an anti-Semite. To me, it is not just the story of one man, but the story of many Jews who arrived to the “Golden Land” and decided to deny who they are. David represents those people who surround us today. The author develops the characters in a way to share their complexity with a tremendous amount of inner dialogue which I enjoyed since I like knowing what the characters were thinking and feeling.

His wife, Kate, goes along with him due to her feelings of obligation as a wife, but struggled with his decision in the very beginning of the book: “Listening to him she wondered why had Jews shed their blood for 5000 years, what had her father died for? She thought of the ageless Jewish struggle for survival, and now her beloved husband’s obsession to deny the struggle and all it represented. Jews had died for centuries so that she and David and their son could retain a Jewish identity in the world. It was a covenant from birth that……Their heritage and culture had sustained them through the centuries of trial. How wrong David was. Rather than reaffirming his decision, the Jews of history and the Jews in their lives should have been his evidence of courage in the face of suffering and doubt, Jews too had lived and survived their Sodom and Gomorrah. For 5000 years Jews had worshipped at the shrine of the one and only living God. When the cry of the Shema was heard, every Jew knew in his soul that bond between himself and his God.

What David was going through was not as special as he thought. So much of the beauty, wisdom and truth of the generations was between the pages of these scrolls of man’s struggle within himself—the pages of this holy book that a human hand could hold, this book that taught the way for a man to be what he wanted to be, just a little lower than the angels or just a little above the beasts…this book expounded the conflict of good and evil that man was capable of; and offered a choice, a choice to be made by made out of the core of his selfishness and selflessness. Above all, Judaism never flattered man; it pointed out all of his frailties, his deep seed of lust, his appetite for power. It showed him when he was in the full light of his conscience. It also taught a man could life his eyes and feel exaltation, depending on how deep were his spiritual reservoirs.

Could David, in honesty, forget what he had been taught? Did David really believe that running away from what he had been born would bring him something better? Did he honestly believe that by changing his name and living elsewhere he would find peace and contentment? In his determination to be true to himself, did he realize the irony of his choice—that he would be living a lie? And could she throw all of this away?”

But her fear of loneliness, of being alone was too agonizing. She felt that she had no choice. To me, this is the story of assimilation over the centuries…I suppose, living in poverty would drive people to do what David did…totally assimilate…and so David leaves Hester Street and eventually moves to San Francisco where his son grows up not knowing his background. Read to find out what happens. I recommend this book.

[Barbara D. Mason · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story just dragged on and on, while I was waiting for Katie or Mark to stand up against David. The characters were not likeable. Katie was too complacent, and David was downright despicable. Mark was an innocent caught in between. I stayed with the book hoping it would go somewhere, but really, the story was just (slowly) moving on until Mark could grow up and finally learn the truth. I didn’t enjoy this read, and I’m not recommending it.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book about 30 years ago when I still lived in California. I liked this book then and I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction again. It is interesting for me to read because I know a lot of the places that are mentioned in the book. I like the way the author writes because it keeps me interested. I think this book must be out of print because I had to order a used copy which was only $2!

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in the late 80's.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young NY Jew denounces his heritage.

[Cecile · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author but will certainly read more of her books. Truly enjoyed this novel.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trite, repetitive, too long, characters not interesting. How much more can I say to tell you not to read this book? Never again will I try one of hers.

[Chrisangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first Cynthia Freeman book I read, and because I enjoyed it so much I looked forward to reading the rest. What a disappointment, as I never cared for any of them, couldn't even read them the whole way through. (I've wondered if she really wrote those others, or did some less talented author steal her identity?)

But enough of that. This book probably reflected the lives of real people, who felt they had to deny their heritage in order to succeed in what's supposed to be a country of equal opportunity. (Excuse me while I choke.) American hypocrisy at its best. David Rezinetsky becomes David Reid, escapes his Jewish past,(and the prejudice that goes with it) and becomes more successful than he ever dreamed, but pays a price for it. His wife, Katie, also pays, for going along with what she knew in her heart was wrong. She was in love and wanted to be a good wife and be a part of her husband's dream, but when she can't share that dream, where does that leave her?

David and Katie were a mismatch from the start. She was lonely, he was restless and dissatisfied, they were drawn together but didn't belong together. A HEA was not in the cards.

Neither was David's relationship with Maggie Kent destined to work. To be honest, I don't know what he saw in her, she was a self involved socialite, who seemed to think she was God's gift, strung nice guy Peter along, knowing that he loved her, because he was convenient to date and sleep with, dumped him to start an affair with David, knowing he was married and had a son and - even worse - he was a client of hers (she was a decorator, working on his house),which today would be seen as unethical behavior. She boo hoos over her lack of a social life when she and David can't be seen as a couple in public, and, despite her claims about being independent, when things start coming apart she elopes with Peter, who was such a beta he actually still loved her, didn't even move on with his life all the time she was with David. (She made a hypocritical speech about how marriage where one partner was in love and the other wasn't wouldn't work for her, then she goes and gets herself in that situation. Talk about pathetic.)

Katie disappointed me as well. No one could fault her for trying to make her marriage work, but there came a time when she should have realized how hopeless it was, long before she found out about Maggie. When she did, she should have confronted David with the truth, gotten a divorce (and with a good lawyer ended up a rich divorcee) and found herself a man who could really love her. Instead, she keeps quiet, bides her time, and then gets back at David by refusing to divorce him. She gained nothing from that, except to make things tougher for her son, Mark, who got caught up in all the lies, deceptions, and unhappiness. Because David no longer wanted to be Jewish, and Katie didn't want to become Christian, they had no religion at all, and Mark felt the loss of it, as that's so often a part of identity.

Ironically, one of the things that bothered David the most was that he never felt his father really cared for him, he never seemed to have time to listen or really get to know him, and then he went and repeated that pattern with Mark.

When David has moments of guilt for the decision he made (which included turning his back on his family after his father disowned him), especially when confronted with people who stayed true to their Jewish heritage and still became successful, it makes him bitter and angry, and turns him into one of the bigots he sought to escape from. He goes so far as to order Mark to end a friendship when he finds out the boy's Jewish, and later on completely loses it when Mark falls in love with a young Jewish woman.

Who knows what would have happened if David hadn't overheard those anti-semitic remarks when he went for that job interview, if his father had been more understanding instead of quoting the Torah, if the rest of his family had the guts to stand up to his father.....he may have stayed Jewish and been a much happier person.

[Gayle Cappelluti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A World Full of Strangers took a very long time, too long of a time, to basically say, what goes around comes around. In this story, David does his friend, Solly, a favor and agrees to date Katie, an immigrant like so many others on Hester Street, in the Lower East Side of New York City before World War II. What David discovers upon meeting this girl, though, is that she is actually not at all like anyone else, like no one he has ever met before. He falls for her, hard, almost immediately, and fortunately, the feeling is mutual.
They decide in no time at all that they want to spend the rest of their lives together.
But life is not easy for Jews and David learns that the hard way when antisemitism makes it exceedingly difficult for David to take care of his bride in the fashion he aspires to. David becomes very bitter and decides to renounce his heritage, change his name and amass a great fortune. Will this decision make them happy? And what of the ramifications for the next generation? I won't spoil the story for you. It is definitely worth reading though it is very slow moving and frustrating at times.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book, the writing, the imagery, the historical time, the characters and the beautiful story of Katie and David. David was a Jew who grew up on the very poor street of Hester Street in New York city, he hated everything his father stood for. He couldn't stand being a Jew in fact he despised it. Katie was a young innocent little girl who never knew a permanent home till her mother's best friend took her in and raised her after her mother passed away. Katie fell for David. David fell for Katie. In most books this is where the story would end. David and Katie living happily ever after but in this novel, the story is only just beginning. A story of guilt,love,neglect,sorrow,changing and ultimately finding out what is worth it and what never was. I loved this book and will be picking up more of Cynthia Freemans books soon.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A World Full of Strangers, Cynthia Freeman, PB-B, @ 81, 1984. A man hungry for power, a wife who embraces the past, a son who wants to remember his father's heritage, and a mistress who is wanted because she is nothing like his wife. Okay.

[bonnie foxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A World Full Of Strangers

I loved this book. The characters came to life right off the page. The storyline held my interest throughout the entire book and I found it terribly hard to out down. I have read two of her books and I will continue to read her.

[Rona Kessel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!

Excellent! Was mesmerized from the start . The characters really came to life. i would highly recommend this book to all.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Loved the connections with San Francisco and the Peninsula. The male character, David is a real schmuck but just read how clever the author gets him.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written book. Eager to read others by Freeman.

[Lorri · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion, the novel would have been better served, more concise and illuminating, if it had 200 fewer pages.

[Sandy Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good family saga but was a bit too long and it dragged on quite slowly part of the time. (I do believe I had read it many years ago.)

[Linda Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting story with good character development. You really feel like you know the characters in the story which makes it much more enjoyable. I know that there is still some discrimination today for those who belong to religions that many people don't understand and don't want to know, but it this case, David, who was born a Jew, decides to change his name and not have anything to do with Judaism, including having nothing to do with his own parents. i\In the beginning, Katie, his wife ,goes along with this. because she loves David and is lonely without him, but as time passes, she not only misses those she was close too, but also misses the traditions of the Jewish faith and the peace it brought her. They have one child, Mark, who is very close to his mother and wants to be close to his Dad. However, the more money David makes, under his new name, the distance between father and son has periods of "friendship", yet the father is very demanding, and won't let Mark have any association with Jews, but Mark does not know why. While Mark is attending UCLA, he is befriended by a young man and when invited to his house, he meets and falls in love with his sister and wants to marry her and in the process, he feels drawn to the Jewish faith. Knowing how is dad feels about Jews, he hopes his dad will listen to him, but of course that does not happen. When Mark accidentally finds a box his mother has kept, he finds out that they are really Jewish and after a fight with his dad, he goes off to marry his sweetheart and Katie leaves to go to Mark's wedding and the story ends at that point. We can all put our own ending to the story, as we see fit.

[ANGELIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This saga of New York City, Chicago and San Francisco in the 1930's, 40's and 50's, of Jewish identity, prejudice and the cost of living a lie at the expense of your character is a real page turner, one that's tough to put down, and will make you sad, angry, empathetic and compassionate all at the same time.

You'll feel sorry for David Rezinetsky/Reid, even when you want to throttle him. Both tough and vulnerable, he lets his ambition get the better of him and makes a life choice without figuring the long term, which will later be felt by his wife, Katie and their son, Mark. Even when he has his own doubts, he feels compelled to stick to his deception, despite the cost.

The novel shows the passage of time through the changes in personality, as David loses the balance he had in keeping his ambitions from taking over his better self, while his love and desire go from down to earth Katie to sophisticated socialite Maggie Kent. Katie, meanwhile, changes from adoring wife to betrayed one, and in the process develops a stronger character and more forceful personality, as she refuses to be anyone's fool.

Meanwhile, their son Mark grows from a boy desperate for his father's time and attention to a young man who makes some discoveries about the past that affect his future and jeopardize his already precarious relationship with David.

There are minor characters that add to the story, like Chaim, Adrienne and Jim Fowler, each important in their own way.

My only complaint IS Maggie's marriage to Peter, which, considering her strong, independent character, I find implausible. Aside from that, this book is a great one and shouldn't be passed up.

[Bobbi April Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novel at the beginning of last year (2024) and it was brilliant. After spending years of solitude and working on difficult projects the novel brought everything in my mind to life. It made me believe in romance again. Of course, there is usually heartbreak with romance but each part of the novel could blossom into an entire world of it’s own. Every character was so real and each struggle defined a true moment in time. A time where people were at odds with one another and their decisions quietly decide the fate of others. Thoughtfully narrated with delicate emotion and a sensitive awareness to the prospect of a way of existence fading away. Just as in real life the conflict remains and the novel weaves through their difficulties beautifully. Some find their true companions in life and later suffer loss. Others achieve what they always wanted only to lose themselves.

[Debbie Shoulders · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rags to riches story based on turning away from one's heritage, "A World Full of Strangers" reads like a soap opera, something that seemed unsettling until I read the publication date of 1981. Freeman's books were typical of that era.

Lacking real depth there is still a story and for those who appreciate plot over characterization, the book tells of David, the son of poor Hester Street Jews who turns his back on his culture and religion to make his way in the world. He brings along his bride, Katie who having lived a life of extreme loneliness is willing to stick with David and lose what little family she had left. The riches eventually come but at the risk of losing what is essential.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

This is my first book by author Cynthia Freeman and it was incredible and I am feeling blessed that I read it! You may say perhaps I loved the writing because I am Jewish as when they were beginning on Hester Street even though it was nearly 30 years before I knew of Hester Street and the look are East side of Manhattan I knew all about the Jewish life that took place at the time from my Jewish family who lived and told me stories about living there. As for David all through the bok I truly despised him for renouncing his Jewish heritage hurting his parents but especially what and how he almost destroyed his wife and child ! His cruelty was abominable ; it is one of the best books I have read in 2024 ! This is a must read!

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From one extreme to another

When you are poor but loved you dream that riches would bring a better life. So how can an orphaned girl be unhappy in a managing married to a millionaire?

A struggling Jewish couple search for and find a life that brings money, prestige, and security. But happiness is not guaranteed.

I was so angry at the loathsome greedy husband. But not angry enough to quit reading.

Follow David and Katie, two Jews just trying to find their way. Follow this young couple through their lives

[Allan Wiener · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Questions

Written in a very low level, the story line is very interesting. A life of lies and deception can turn one person against another. But the book is flawed. How could Maggie not have asked David about his circumcision? How could Mark not have asked why he was circumcised? How could Mark not have known Eric was Jewish if there was a mezuza on the door post? How could Dave not have noticed that the Wallaces were Jewish with a mezuza affixed to the door post?